GE Energy Connections

Industrial Internet Control System

Control Server
Optimizing server-grade
supervisory control for the
digital industry thread

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decisions faster
Built on GE’s deep domain expertise of  building state-
of-the-art control solutions for all types of industrial
environments around the world, GE’s next generation of
Automation & Control solutions have been developed to
extract greater value from the Industrial Internet.

Achieving greater production efficiency, increased uptime, and

reduced cost is complicated by the complexity of gathering and
analyzing large quantities of industrial data from a large variety
of industrial devices. The problem is further compounded by
lengthy and inefficient workflows required for timely action. GE’s
Industrial Internet Control System solutions solve this problem by
augmenting real-time control with external intelligence delivered
through market analysis, fleet and enterprise data, and asset/
process knowledge, enabling easy and dynamic adaption to
changing business objectives.
Total Plant Technology
for Today’s Cyber-aware Environment

Today’s power plants are faced with constantly increasing cyber-

security regulations, a need to reduce operating costs, and a
desire to use data to extract more benefit out of running assets
and tapped-out profitability models. The Control Server is a
scaleable platform and key enabler to addressing these needs
as part of GE’s Industrial Internet Control System (IICS). Control
Server is the most capable Field Agent* platform, enabling
intensive optimizing apps like Model-based Optimizing Control
(MBOC) to inject performance improvements that deliver greater
profitability. Built-in security features reduce attack surface and
improve compliance to regulations. Operating and maintenance
costs are reduced through consolidation of PC functions provided
by virtualization technology on a server-grade platform.

Why GE customers choose Control Server -

Grow profits with optimizing controls

From simple business apps to complicated
physics based models, the Control Server
provides the tools to optimize assets to
save fuel, increase output, prevent outages
and extend life for improved profitability
throughout plant life cycle.

Increased security
Seamless integration into the control network
provides system wide access control, enables
secure communication and reduces the overall
cyber attack surface.

Reduce cost through productivity

Virtualized environment reduces the
quantity of PCs while providing centralized
management of regular maintenance, freeing
up resources for improving productivity.
High Capacity Edge Computing
Securely deploy, design, and maintain advanced computing infrastructure by incorporating multiple supervisory
control applications into one easy-to-maintain virtualized server. Control Server, with Field Agent technology,
is GE’s highest capacity cloud-connected edge-computing platform. Control Server uses server class hardware
to integrate the features associated with engineering and operator workstations, historians, and advanced
communication gateways with new capabilities from GE’s Predix* analytics platform.

Predix* Cloud Connectivity Thin Client Workstations

Analytics, RM&D, APM, MBOC & Digital Twin

Built for Security

Provides easier user management and
enables Secure mode for the controller Firewall

Plant Data Highway (PDH)

Powerful ComputingCapability
Server-grade platform hosts multiple virtual
machines for Field Agent, Predix apps,
Certificate Authentication

Engineering Work Station

supervisory control functions, and historical

Field Agent | User Apps

data storage and analytic tools
vCenter Appliance

Operator Station
Domain Control

Increased Reliability
Available in both simplex and redundant
configurations with high availability options
Historian

to best fit the needs of the application

Improved Maintainability
Predix
Industry standard server, leveraging ControlST Machine
hypervisor, enables centralized
LINUX
management of configurations and easy WIN 2012
WIN 2012
path for the migration of solutions
Hypervisor

Easy Expansion
Expand your system to meet specific Unit Data Highway (UDH)
application needs by adding client stations
Infrastructure Security Services Applications Field Agent
or servers in a cost-effective manner
Model-based
Optimizing Control (MBOC)
Model Based Optimizing Control
(MBOC) is an edge-based smart
application that leverages the vast
computing power of the control
server to optimize asset performance,
focusing primarily on output efficiency
and part life. MBOC incorporates
consideration of market conditions
(e.g. cost of electricity and natural
gas) in conjunction with maintenance
schedule (e.g. next shutdown) to
optimize an overall business outcome.
Control Server
Predix-ready* Commercial grade
server for highest-capacity edge
computing and supervisory control
applications, with embedded Field
Agent technology.
Unmatched capability
Connectivity
For Industrial Internet connectivity, Virtual Field
Agent technology is included in the control server as
a platform for applying Predix applications as well as
communication connectivity to the Predix Cloud.
Defense-in-Depth Security
Security and antivirus protection are implemented
from a centralized and secured server. Primary and
secondary domain VM controllers are included for
improved user and password management of the
system. A certificate server is included as well to
provide a secure connection by enabling secure mode
communication with Mark VIe controllers.
Centralized Device Management
Unlike traditional architectures that rely on separate
workstations throughout the plant floor, the
centralized architecture of GE‘s Control Server allows
for managed control of all software and versions.
Remotely manage security and software upgrades
across your control system.
Increased Reliability & Productivity
Centralized server-based architecture consolidates
traditional PC based Workstations into a server class
machine that provides simpler lifecycle maintenance
and improved security for distributed control systems.
High availability options assures reliable uptime for
all functions.
Extensible, Total Plant DCS
Simple system expansion from unit control to plant
DCS with deployment of additional clients or server
hardware as needed. Small hardware footprint
supports easy installation.
Control Server
Use Case
Challenge
Power generation customers must meet the power demand of their
customers while improving operating efficiency to reduce cost and balance the
maintenance requirements of their assets.

Solution
GE has developed a unique visibility and insight analytic offering as part of its
Operations Optimization solution, allowing power generators to make both
short- and long-term decisions that can improve plant profitability. As a part of
the Industrial Internet Control System, the Control Server equipped with Virtual
Field Agent Technology can be deployed in our customers’ facilities and allow
for their power plant to be operated safely above baseload conditions, while
the banked MW hours could be used to take advantage of peak market prices
and conditions. This gives the ability to directly understand and act on the
balance of peak firing with outage scheduling and, as a result, can grant their
commercial teams the ability to potentially bid more MWs.

Customer Outcomes

Lower Production Costs Greater Flexibility High MV Capacity

Utilize cold part load Take advantage of cold part Utilize MW banking
when fuel is cheaper load to bank MW hours during peak demand
GE’s IICS Portfolio of Solutions
What’s New
GE’s Industrial Internet Control System augments real-time control with external intelligence delivered
through market analysis, fleet and enterprise data or asset/process knowledge. GE’s Outcome Optimizing
Controllers with embedded Field Agent* technology leverage GE’s Predix* Platform to easily collect and
analyze large quantities of data in the cloud or at the edge to help businesses realize greater profitability
and new revenue streams.

Implementing GE’s Controller Control Server

Solutions, customers are able Commercial grade server for
to achieve the following: highest-capacity Edge computing
and supervisory control applications
with virtualized Field Agent* technology

Minimize Risk
• Built-in security protocols protect
against man-in-the-middle and
denial of service attacks
• Broad suite of cyber security
technology & tools prevent
unauthorized code and
application updates
• A variety of redundancy options
support improved availability and
reduce downtime
Reduce Lifecycle Costs
• Advanced functionality simplifies
system architecture while
dramatically reducing applied
engineering costs
• Modular, innovative technology
enables continuous application
innovation
• Software upgrades, patches,
and antivirus updates can be
executed from a central location,
without taking the system offline
Smart Sensors
GE’s flexible I/O solutions
provide intuitive diagnostics,
flexibility, and a wide range
of form factors, feature sets,
and price points to fit
any application.
Outcome Optimizing Control
Dual or quad core hypervised
controller with embedded
Field Agent Technology
Field Agent Technology
Robust solution for pre-configured
connectivity and secure data Smart Apps in the
Cloud & at the Edge
collection and conveyance
from the machine Create a smart control system by utilizing
apps like GE’s Asset Performance
Management (APM) Suite, Equipment Insight,
Control System Health, or custom built
analytics that help improve operational
insight and reduce unplanned outages.

Decrease Time to Market

• Scalable performance and
support a wide variety of
industrial applications
• Redundant power supplies and
data storage increase reliability
and assures easy recovery
without lost production or data
To learn more about IICS applications and GE’s complete line of Automation & Controls solutions,
visit www.geautomation.com or contact your local GE automation specialist.

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